2011 Heading Back to South Florida

HEADING SOUTH

We rented a car and headed down to Hilton Head.   Turned in the rental car, and were ready to leave on schedule.  We left the next morning,   Nov.5, headed for Fort Pierce FL.

0830 hrs. we threw off the lines and left Shelter Cove, Moonstruck’s home since May.  We stopped at Thunderbolt Marina to pick up 100 gal. of diesel fuel.  Then it was in to the Georgia ICW (which is always interesting) for the run to Jekyll Island.   Lou has been expieriencing much pain because of a tare in  her rotator cuff.  We thought it wise to give her a day to rest up.  While she was resting, Troy and I did a little exploring.  Some pictures follow.

Moonstruck "snugged in the corner" at Jekyll Harbor

2 nights at Jekyll Island

Jekyll Island Club

Some of the "cottages" at the Jekyll Island Club

We pulled away for our rest stop at Jekyll Harbor at 0800 hrs for the run to Daytona Beach.  We really didn’t know where we would stop, but decided on arrival at Daytona Beach that it was about right.  Radioed Halifax Harbor Marina to secure a slip.  We were secure by 1500 hrs.  On the way we had stopped at Florida Petroleum in Fernandina Beach for about 300 gal. of diesel fuel.  That will get us to Fort Pierce with fuel to spare.

Walked downtown Daytona and had a stromboli for dinner.  Early to bed.  We have about 135 miles left to run tomorrow.  On the way to Daytona we passed through St. Augustine.  Even though it is one of our favorite stops on the Waterway, we decided to pass it up this trip.  A few pictures going by St. Augustine will be uploaded later.

The run to Ft Pierce was uneventful, but tedious.  South of Daytona are many no wake zones that are strictly enforced.  One below New Smyrna Beach that takes over an hour to get through.  After that, it was passing what seemed like a hundred boats.  Tedious, indeed.  After entering the Indian River just outside the Haulover Canal, we could finally let Moonstruck stretch her legs.   She ran like a horse headed for the barn.  Lou slept most of the way.  She needed the rest.  I just can say enough about what a trooper she is to make this trip with me.  The pain in her shoulder is getting unbearable.  It will definitely be surgery when we get back home.

Following are some pictures of Fort Pierce when we arrived.  Moonstruck is snugged into her permanent slip where she will be for 12-18 months.  We plan to use Fort Pierce as a base for cruising South Florida and the Bahamas.  We are also looking forward to some Gulf Stream fishing.  We like this place.

Moonstruck tucked into her slip

Our Dock

Tiki Bar #1 off our bow

One of the interesting "trasit" boats stopping over nightLou buying a plant at the Saturday morning farmers market next to the marina

A pretty good raggae band with a funky volunteer dancer at the farmers market

PLANNING THE TRIP

Well, our time is getting short for Moonstruck at Shelter Cove Harbor, Hilton Head Island, SC.  The plan is to pull out on or about Nov. 1st to cruise back to South Florida.  Insurance is secured and reservations have been made at the Fort Pierce City Marina for a year or so.  Fort Pierce has a good straight forward inlet to the Atlantic.  It is about 60 nautical miles from the Little Bahama Bank, and about 160 nautical miles from Green Turtle Cay in the Abacos.  The Gulf Stream fishing is excellent, and the down town restaurants are within walking distance of the marina.

We plan to spend as much time as possible in the Bahamas this year.  The beauty of the out islands is that you can usually find a secluded anchorage along a beach.  The clear, warm water and many anchorages make it a cruising paradise.  Snorkeling, fishing, exploring, and generally lying around reading and being useless  while the boat is suspended in gin clear waters.——-someone has to do it.

The trip South we hope to make stops at Cumberland Island, Palm Coast, and maybe Vero Beach.  We are looking forward to warm weather this winter.

Photo by the grand kids

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